Gov gone wild: Mad new pub glasses, bread freedom introduced

Science minister David Willetts has launched a vicious January attack on the honest British pint in favour of Australian "schooners" and Continental micro-measures of wine.

Under cover of claims to reduce red tape, Willetts will end rules restricting pubs to selling beer in pints and half pints to allow them to sell "schooners" – a devilish Antipodean glass containing two thirds of a pint of cold but flavourless lager.

Pubs will also be able to sell wine in thimbles of of 75ml. Fortified wines will be available in 50ml and 70ml tots.

A Statutory Instrument will be introduced to allow the changes in the coming session.

Australia ranks fourth in world rankings for beer consumption but scores much lower on per capita alcohol consumption, which tells you all you need to know about their beer. They're not very good at cricket either.